Gulf of Mexico Pygmy Skate

This deep-water, bottom-dwelling skate has a heart-shaped pectoral disc that is reddish brown to purple on top and pale yellowish underneath. There are several rows of thorns around the edge of the pectoral fins and down the spine of the skate, onto its slender, long tail. It is smaller than many skates, reaching about 14 inches long, and it releases small leathery egg cases on the sea floor, but not much is known about the life of this skate because of its preference for depths.

Danger to Humans

Conservation

The Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate is not listed as endangered or vulnerable with the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species.

Geographical Distribution

World distribution map for the Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate

The geographical range of this skate is limited to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Bahamas. It has been reported from southeastern Florida, the Bahamas, and throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well off the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua and Venezuela and in waters surrounding Cuba.

Habitat

The Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate is a benthic (bottom-dwelling) fish that lives along the outer continental shelf and slope from 184-3,595 feet (56-1,096 m) in depth.

Biology

Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate. Illustration courtesy FAO

Distinctive FeaturesThe body is compressed with the head, body, and expanded pectoral fins forming a heart-shaped disc. The cartilage forming the rostrum is short. The pectoral fins are fused from the head through the trunk. The front lobes of the pelvic fins are as long or slightly shorter than the rear lobes. There are two closely spaced dorsal fins present on the tail. The tail is long and thorny and easy to distinguish from the body.

ColorationThe dorsal surface of the Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate is brownish purple, sometimes with irregular dark blotches. In contrast, the ventral surface is yellowish-white with no distinct markings. The dorsal fins are pale in color.

Food HabitsLittle is known about the diet of this skate as evidenced by the lack of information and data in scientific literature.

ReproductionThe Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate is oviparous. Paired eggs are released into the benthic environment. The egg cases possess horn-like projections, allowing the cases to be held securely. The embryos feed entirely on the yolk within the egg case until they hatch and become free-swimming.

PredatorsPotential predators of the Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate include larger fish such as sharks as well as marine mammals.

ParasitesThere are no known parasites of this species due to lack of information and data in scientific literature.

Taxonomy

The Gulf of Mexico pygmy skate was originally described by Bigelow & Schroeder in 1950 as Breviraja sinusmexicanus. This name was later changed to the currently valid Fenestraja sinusmexicanus (Bigelow & Schroeder 1950). The genus name, Fenestraja, is derived from the Latin "fenestra", "-ae" meaning small hole or opening in a bone and the Latin "raja", "-ae" meaning a fish, Raja sp. The species name, sinusmexicanus, refers to the geographic location where this skate is found. There are no known synonyms appearing in past scientific literature referring to this species.